- Jacques Hotteterre (1674-1763): Hotteterre was a French composer, flutist, and recorder player. He is best known for his treatise "L'Art de préluder sur la flûte traversière" (The Art of Playing the Transverse Flute), which is considered one of the most important books on flute playing.
- Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773): Quantz was a German composer, flutist, and oboist. He served as the flute teacher to Frederick the Great of Prussia and is considered one of the most important figures in the development of the flute as an instrument.
- Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788): C.P.E. Bach was a German composer, pianist, and flutist. He was the second son of Johann Sebastian Bach and is considered one of the most important composers of the early Classical period.
- François Devienne (1759-1803): Devienne was a French composer, flutist, and bassoonist. He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of the French flute school and is known for his flute concertos and sonatas.
- Theobald Boehm (1794-1881): Boehm was a German flutist, inventor, and composer. He is best known for inventing the Boehm flute, which is the modern-day flute design that is still used by flutists today.